Vinnie Roe made the perfect start to his final season with a cosy success in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown last night.
Dermot Weld's seven-year-old, a record-breaking four times winner of the Irish St Leger, was always travelling smoothly as his stable companion Mutakarrim set the pace in the 14-furlong Listed contest.
Pat Smullen on Vinnie Roe moved up to challenge the leader inside the quarter-mile pole. Quickening in good style the entire soon went clear to register a comfortable one-and-a-half-length call over Mutakarrim with Mkuzi third and smart hurdler Al Eile a respectable fourth.
The winner was having his first race since he finished second to Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup in November.
Weld had been concerned that the going at the Dublin track was too firm for Vinnie Roe but after walking the course he allowed his fine stayer to run.
"The ground was safe and I'm glad he ran," Smullen said. "We needed to get a run into him to set him up for Ascot (Gold Cup).
"I had a job to hold him four out, he was taking me so well into the race. When we straightened up I let him go and his turn of foot was just explosive."
PA